Agenda item

The Chair, Councillor Blunt invited those present to introduce themselves and explained the purpose of the meeting.

The Planning Policy Team provided an overview of the current position with the Borough Council’s Local Plan with regard to climate change, which included an explanation of understanding the SCATTER model (setting, city, area, targets and Trajectories for emissions, reduction).  A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes.

The Task Group received a presentation from KLimate Concern which covered the following:

·         The climate change challenge for West Norfolk, its communities, businesses, environment and transport infrastructure.

·         Why we need a revised local plan with a clear strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

·         Why we need a local climate change partnership to develop and test solutions and inform the plan.

In response to a question whether the boundaries of the AONB could be extended to improve green space, the Portfolio Holder for Environment referred to the Glover report which undertook a review of AONBs and national parks and advised that he sat on the member group which did good work and ensured that the Council’s voice was heard at a national level.  Those present were also provided with details on the Habitat Regulation levy which every new house built had to pay.  The levy generated income which was used to protect identified sensitive European sites (SACs, SPAs, NNRs).

The Chair/Planning Policy Team responded to questions in relation to:

·         The council’s Climate Change Strategy adopted in 2008.

·         Business Industry data 2005.

·         Borough Council potential mandatory requirement could be to request a statement of climate change with all planning applications.  It was highlighted that mechanisms would need to be put in place on scoring, targets and monitoring arrangements.

·         Importance of bringing key stakeholders and the general public together by a combination of education and encouragement.

·         Aim of the Local Plan Task Group to be able to deliver climate change proposals/initiatives.

·         The Local Plan Review timetable which was available on the Borough Council’s website.

·         Benefits of using the SCATTER model.

·         Habitat Regulations levy (currently £50 per new property) which was used for mitigation purposes.

·         Steps required to address climate change issues which would include encouragement and education.

·         Legal requirement for the Borough Council to have a climate change policy within the Local Plan and monitoring arrangements to be established.

·         Role of the Local Plan Task Group to identify realistic measures which could be taken and delivered to achieve required targets to reach the Government zero carbon target by 2050.

·         Borough Council’s interest in identifying a national solution and understanding what the council could do to reduce the carbon footprint in the Borough.

·         Variety of solar panels that could be placed on residential properties.

·         Role of the Neighbourhood Plan.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor A Tyler addressed the Task Group and commented that he had read articles relating to climate change and added that climate change did not just relate to scientific matters, but included political structures, economic and social factors.

Councillor Joyce asked if it was possible to introduce a levy for each new house built to enable the developer to pay it off by a reduction in the environmental cost.  The Chair commented that the Borough Council could explore the possibility of such a levy.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Devereux provided an overview of how the council had built up an evidence base to implement the required changes to policies.  Those present were informed that the Habitat Regulation Levy had been decreed by the Inspector.  It was highlighted that not all local authorities had a Habitat Regulation Levy.  The Portfolio Holder outlined the financial constraints that the council had to operate within with a continuing reduction in government funding year on year.  It was noted that the Borough Council had a programme of activities to examine the level of carbon footprint and the Portfolio Holder explained that the county and the new Anglia LEP had used the skills base at the University of East Anglia.

In response to a question relating to the opportunity for local councils to join up and make a bid to Government to reduce peat emissions in the Fens, the Portfolio Holder for Environment explained that he also had concerns and added that specific actions were required to certain outcomes.  The Portfolio Holder explained that he held a national position with the Environment Agency and the technical group looked at the totality of emissions and impact on the Fens over a 100 year period.

In conclusion, KLimate Concern thanked the Borough Council for the opportunity to discuss climate change and highlighted the importance of focussing on realistic goals which could be debated and translated into policy.  A firm policy statement from all politicians was required to commit to climate change as well as a strategy setting out achievable goals with the resource available.  KLimate Concern also commented that climate change required Cabinet leadership to drive the programme.  In response, the Portfolio Holder for Environment explained that following the April Council meeting when KLimate Concern had asked questions, the responsibility for climate change was led by the Leader and covered all Cabinet portfolios.  Those present were advised that the Council also had a Tree Strategy.

The Chair, Councillor Blunt thanked KLimate Concern for attending the meeting and explained that the Council was keen to listen and identify ways of working together to ensure the correct outcome was achieved.  The Chair undertook to speak to the Leader regarding KLimate Concern giving a presentation at a future pre-Council briefing.